To the Metropolitan Atlanta Community:

For over ten years, the Rollins School of Public has honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Awards Program. The genesis of this celebration grew out of dialogue in 1993 between Dr. Joyce Essien and then Dean of the School of Public Health, Ray Greenburg where they agreed that it was time to align the mission and values of Public Health with the precepts of social justice. With the support of Dean Curran and the diligent work of faculty, staff, and students, this program has grown to be a major event among the calendar of King Week activities held at Emory. Our program is unique as the only event that has consistently recognized and celebrated people and organizations in greater Atlanta whose work exemplifies the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

This year's program, as in past years is co-sponsored by the Goizueta Business School and our theme is "Lest We Forget: Building Community Through Unity, Service, and Collective Responsibility". The event will take place on Thursday, January 22 at 4 p.m. in the auditorium of the Goizueta Business School with a reception following the program.

The keynote speaker will be Elisabeth Williams Omilami, Director of the Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless (HFHH). In its 33rd year, HFHH operates the largest food bank serving meals to individuals in the city. In addition to serving meals, HFHH supports the distribution of cash grants, clothing, furniture, and the purchase of medicine for disadvantaged citizens of metropolitan Atlanta.

Dedicated to the memory of Maynard Holbrook Jackson, former mayor of Atlanta, this year's program will pay special tribute to the contribution of Christine King Farris, the sister of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for the preservation of the work and legacy of Dr. King. At the end of the program, she will be autographing copies of her children's book, "My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing up with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr."

Awardees include:
Organizations